Holiday on Chhath Puja reinstated

Nov 5 marking Bhupen Hazarika's death makes it to 2016 holidays list

BY Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Dec 16: The State government has announced a list of public holidays as well as restricted holidays for the year 2016. State government offices will remain closed for 32 days besides being closed on all second/ fourth Saturdays and Sundays.

There are three half holidays - Muharram (October 12), Lakhi Puja (October 15) and Kati Bihu (October 17).

Interestingly, Chhath Puja (November 6) has been declared a public holiday.

Chhath Puja was a holiday during the then AGP government, which was lifted later by the Tarun Gogoi government.

The government has also announced a holiday on November 5 - the death anniversary of Dr Bhupen Hazarika, a decision that goes against the Chief Minister's own words.

During the function organized to mark the music maestro's death anniversary this year, Gogoi had ruled out declaring holiday on the day. "I am against holidays. People should work on the day," he had said.